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EPF health insurance scheme a voluntary bid

EPF health insurance scheme a voluntary bid

The Star8 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: The government's proposed health insurance scheme, to be funded through Account 2 of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), will be volun­tary and not mandatory for members, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic).
The Health Minister said the initiative aims to offer EPF contributors the option of broader insurance cove­rage, as currently, 32% of healthcare costs are paid out-of-pocket by patients without insurance protection.
'Through this approach, the government hopes to expand access to faster, higher-quality private healthcare without increasing the financial burden on the people,' he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Dzulkefly added that the proposal draws inspiration from countries like Singapore, which prioritise insurance access for the majority of citizens.
'Only about 1% of Account 2 of the EPF would be used to pay for insurance. This is the best way,' he added, Bernama reported.

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Viability of using savings for medical coverage being assessed
Viability of using savings for medical coverage being assessed

New Straits Times

time2 hours ago

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Viability of using savings for medical coverage being assessed

KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to let Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members use Account 2 for monthly health insurance premiums is still under review, says the fund. In a statement to the New Straits Times, EPF said it is working closely with the relevant authorities to assess the viability of the initiative. "EPF is aware of discussions on the proposal to allow the use of savings in Akaun Sejahtera (Account 2) to pay for health insurance premiums. "The proposal is still being considered, and the EPF is working closely with the relevant parties on the matter," it said. The fund added that, as with all proposals involving members' savings, a thorough assessment is being carried out to ensure any new measure balances short-term needs with long-term retirement security. "As with all proposals involving members' savings, careful assessment is being conducted to ensure that any new measures will strike a balance between immediate needs and members' long-term financial wellbeing." The EPF said further updates would be shared through official channels once available. On June 19, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the government is considering allowing EPF members to use their Account 2 savings to pay for monthly health insurance premiums. He said that, if implemented, the initiative could enable 16 million EPF contributors to access private hospital treatment using their contributions. However, Dzulkefly later clarified that the proposed health insurance scheme — funded through EPF Account 2 — would be voluntary and not mandatory. The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) has welcomed the government's proposal to allow EPF members to use their Account 2 savings to pay monthly health insurance premiums, calling it a Its president, Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh, said while the plan is welcomed, it must be accompanied by clear safeguards to ensure its long-term sustainability. He said the responsibility now lies with the relevant agencies to determine the most appropriate funding model, whether through EPF or other mechanisms.

Three Malaysian haj pilgrims die from heart attacks in Saudi
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Three Malaysian haj pilgrims die from heart attacks in Saudi

PETALING JAYA: There have been two more deaths of Malaysian haj pilgrims in the holy land, says Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar. The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) wrote in a Facebook post on Friday (June 20) that Tabung Haji has managed all the needs of the deceased in accordance with Islamic law, including the management of the burial in the Holy Land. 'On behalf of the Malaysian Government and all members of the haj agency, I express my condolences to the family members of the deceased. May their souls be granted forgiveness, mercy and placed among the righteous,' wrote Mohd Na'im The first pilgrim, Abd Wahab Yahaya, aged 63, from Telok Panglima Garang, Selangor, died on 19 June at 4.50pm (Saudi time) due to a heart attack at Hotel Al-Mubarak, Shisha. The second pilgrim, Mohamed Jafri Yahya, aged 60, from Tanah Rata, Pahang, died on 19 June at 7.39pm (Saudi time) due to a heart attack at Hospital Jiwar, Makkah. The third pilgrim, Norizan Tarsi, aged 59, from Butterworth, Penang, died on 20 June at 6.45am (Saudi time) due to a heart attack at Abraj Al-Tayseer. More than 31,600 Malaysians performed the haj pilgrimage this year, which concluded on June 9. Malaysian pilgrims had begun returning home from June 14 onwards.

EPF health insurance scheme a voluntary bid
EPF health insurance scheme a voluntary bid

The Star

time8 hours ago

  • The Star

EPF health insurance scheme a voluntary bid

KUALA LUMPUR: The government's proposed health insurance scheme, to be funded through Account 2 of the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), will be volun­tary and not mandatory for members, says Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic). The Health Minister said the initiative aims to offer EPF contributors the option of broader insurance cove­rage, as currently, 32% of healthcare costs are paid out-of-pocket by patients without insurance protection. 'Through this approach, the government hopes to expand access to faster, higher-quality private healthcare without increasing the financial burden on the people,' he said in a Facebook post yesterday. Dzulkefly added that the proposal draws inspiration from countries like Singapore, which prioritise insurance access for the majority of citizens. 'Only about 1% of Account 2 of the EPF would be used to pay for insurance. This is the best way,' he added, Bernama reported.

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